What your period blood is telling you

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Think of your period like a rainbow. It’s a beautiful miracle that varies in color. While period blood doesn’t include the full spectrum of the sun, it’s perfectly normal to have varying shades of red during menstruation. And sometimes it’s black. A change in hue is usually a sign of how quickly the blood is leaving the uterus, so don’t panic if you notice a lot of brown right before or during your period. But on some occasions, it can be a sign that something is wrong. Here’s a run down of what you need to know about the different colors that show up during your cycle.

RedBlood that is fresh and flowing quickly is bright red. If your period wakes you up in the middle of the night — or you’ve been taking an afternoon nap — the pooling blood might turn a darker shade of red.

BrownBrown blood often shows up at the beginning or end of a period when your flow isn’t at full speed. Without a vigorous push, the blood hangs around in the uterus for longer, and “the iron in the hemoglobin molecules in the blood begin to break down,” writes Dr. Lissa Rankin, a gynecologist and author of “What’s Up Down There?”.

Basically, the blood starts to rust. It might look less than fresh, but it’s perfectly healthy.

BlackIf blood takes a lot longer than usual to leave the uterus, it can turn black for the same reason it turns brown. When the uterine lining is done actively sloughing off, sluggish, old blood stays in the body longer and can come out much darker and thicker than what you see at the beginning of the cycle — think a paste of coffee grinds. “It’s just flowing much more slowly and it has time to oxidize and change color,” says Dr. Alyssa Dweck, a gynecologist in Westchester County, New York.

PinkAt the beginning of your period, a light flow might mix with cervical fluid and come out pink. However, the pale shade could also be a sign of low estrogen levels associated with certain hormonal birth control or perimenopause. Pink blood can also indicate an iron deficiency. “If your period has suddenly become incredibly light, kind of pale, and much less concentrated, it’s possible you’re anemic,” says Dr. Dweck.

Orange, grey, or green discharge, especially if you’re not expecting your period, can be a sign of an infection like bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis — an STI caused by a parasite. In rare cases, brown or pale discharge with a foul odor can be a sign of cervical cancer. And if you’re pregnant and notice light pink, brown, or bright-red bleeding or spotting, head to a doctor. While 20-30 percent of pregnant people experience some bleeding, discharge could be a sign of a miscarriage.

But if you’re not pregnant and notice a change in your menstrual cycle that lasts for more than a few cycles — whether it’s in color, flow, or frequency — you might want to check in with your gynecologist. Otherwise, menstrual blood that varies in color isn’t a reason for concern.

“Women know their cycles and if something is off, they know about it,” says Dr. Dweck. “We’re our best gauge as to what’s normal.”

Keri Wiginton is a writer and photographer focusing on issues related to women's health, mental well-being, and feminism. Her work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Austin-American Statesman, Tampa Bay Times and Houston Chronicle. Follow her work at www.keriwiginton.com or on Twitter at @keriphoto.